What were the highlights of this year's Cheltenham Festival for you? Kauto Star winning a 3rd Gold Cup would've been my highlight by some margin, but it wasn't meant to be - let's hope he enjoys a happy retirement. It sounds boring but Big Bucks winning a 4th World Hurdle was my highlight, facing the most competitive field in the last 4 years and dare I say he won comfortably in the end! Quite simply, he's the best staying hurdler of all time. But what a race Voler La Vedette ran! I know Quevega has beaten her twice, but I'd like to see a rematch (which I'd expect Quevega to win but not by as far this time!). I know it's early days, but Sir Des Champs looked like a future Gold Cup winner and a star in the making. He quickened smartly after the last to win the Jewson and is only 6 years old. He should stay the trip in the Gold Cup and really should beat the likes of Synchronised next season (yes I know Synchronised won the Gold Cup but he's one of the worst winners in recent years IMO - certainly not up there with Kauto Star, Best Mate and Denman). Sprinter Sacre is the third and last highlight for me of the Festival. As most expected, he won the Arkle and question is who's gonna get near him next season?! He reminded me of when Master Minded won the 2008 Queen Mother, when MM was simply flawless that day.
Strangely, the highlight for me was the great race the mare ran against BB. I've had a soft spot for her for some time. For me, the most impressive, without a doubt, was Sprinter Sacre. Another highlight would have been AP's ride on Alberta's Run. What a gallant effort that was. Lowlight was the farce at the last fence in the Champion. Never seen such an inexcusable cock up. And the Chief Steward made a very poor job of justifying the way it was handled.
It was abit of a financial disaster for me, so many good things, and so many turned over!* The highlight for me was definately Sprinter Sacre, as I had said from well before Xmas, *SS was the most exciting novice I'd seen for years, and he proved that. The way he jumps is unbelievable, he was clearing the fences without touching a twig. The way he cruised clear of the field without even coming out of 2nd gear was breathtaking. I realy cannot wait to see him thrash the likes of Finians Rainbow and Sizing Europe next year.* The other high was Big Bucks, he never let's me down, and im sure he got alot of other people out of trouble*
Sprinter Sacre was a grand sight Not sure that I would agree with Synchronised being "one of the worst CGC winners in recent years". Personally I think he is one of those horses that has slipped under the radar with many people thinking "he can't be that good". What was the last Gold Cup winner to be bred by his owner - can't think there have been many in recent years? I hope that Kauto Star is given the chance to have a decent and long retirement - he owes his owner and trainer absolutely nothing, but they owe him a great deal.
Synchronised may well turn out to not be in the same class as Kauto Star, Best Mate and Denman (not that we'll get some idea until next year of what else he can achieve), but then not many horses are. We've been spoilt when it comes to Gold Cup winners over the last decade, so it seems unfair to then damn horses who can't live up to recent lofty standards. And Big Bucks was a definite highlight.
One reason why I say he was one of the worst winners in recent years Jana was how close The Giant Bolster finished to him - there's no doubt Synchronised has shown improved form this season as he won the Lexus. But he reminds me of Cool Ground who won the 1992 Cheltenham Gold Cup - like Synchronised he won the Welsh National, and Cool Ground never maintained that momentum in improved form after he won the Gold Cup. But Jonjo O'Neill still deserves credit for finding marked improvement in him.
Tuesday - Sprinter Sacre, Quevega & Hunt Ball Wednesday - Simonsig Thursday - Big Bucks Friday - Brindisi Breeze and that phenomenal ride from Carberry in the lucky last Synchronised will go down as a solid, rather than spectacular, Gold Cup winner Sir Des Champs is being hyped already - it was a good performance but WAY too early to be talking about him in terms of Gold Cups The 3 beaten champs were the major disappointments - Hurricane Fly seemed to suffer from the general malaise surrounding Mullins/Nicholls/Walsh all week. Sizing Europe was possibly a little unfortunate but I felt the otherwise excellent Andrew Lynch didn't give him a positive enough ride and allowed Finians Rainbow back into it. Long Run was ultimately the most disappointing, even his stamina let him down today. Overall highlight of the week was undoubtably Mr Henderson and his magnificent 7 and the heart-warming news of his stable lad netting a cool million. Each time any of us puts on a Lucky 15 or yankee we are hoping for something like that to happen, but for him to get it up at the festival is amazing. Well done that lad.
The last time I saw The Giant Bolster run was at Cheltenham, where he led all the way, and I was quite impressed that day. I almost had a fun £10ew in the Betting Comp but just didn't get round to it. It was a good time today (the only race faster than standard) so can't take too much away from the first 2. The GB has been improving all season and still has more improvement in him if the improvement in his jumping continues as it has. He is only 7 and I think he has been underestimated. Watch him next year. He seems to love Cheltenham (when he has stood up). 2 years ago he was beaten just 7l by Peddlers Cross here over hurdles (at 200/1) "Hampered 2nd, towards rear, ridden and hit 3 out, stayed on from 2 out and kept on run-in but never in contention"
The highlight for me has to be the day I was there - the tuesday. Hitting the winner in the first at 11/1 and telling all my mates to get on (and them telling their mates) was a great start to both my mood and my wallet and I think that the race will turn out to be an above average Supreme. Cinders and Ashes made two major mistakes, hit the front too soon and, according to Maguire, had plenty left in the tank. He could be a major player next year if he can improve like Rock on Ruby did. Sprinter Sacre is a real star and definately one to watch! He looked like he hadn't even had a race after the Arkle. Perhaps this festival we have seen the end of one legend but also the confirmation that we have another ready to carry the mantle. Hurricane Fly was disappointing but 1 bad run doesn't all of a sudden make him a bad horse. I fully expect him to bounce back and be the one to beat in next years Champion Hurdle. I'm not sure he got a great ride or that the race suited. Credit to Rock on Ruby though, I think he's either very, very progressive or has had everything fall into place and taken full advantage. I think he's easy to oppose for next year at this stage. I also managed hit the winner in the Cross Country - a race i don't/didn't like also at 11/1 which basically set me up for the whole week and then some so Tuesday was definately my favourite day and the Supreme my favourite race! Elsewhere Sir Des Champs has to be one to note with regards to the Gold Cup but I just wonder if a) he didn't beat all that much and b) Gigginstown have a better Gold Cup hope in forgotten horse Weapon's Amnesty. Time will tell. The thursday was all about one horse..... Big Bucks what a star. The best championship race of the festival and it's great to see him bash the bookies (and most of the Daily Thread was on!). No horse is more deserving of the record(s) he achieved this week. So consistent and so dependable - how can anyone not love him to bits? Channel 4's 10 minute feature on his quirks and character was fascinating. What's more I hope to see him taking on a horse who won today and is swiftly becoming a real favourite of mine. Brindisi Breeze is both gutsy and classy and I always love to watch a successful front runner. This is one to watch, it's not certain that the very talented Boston Bob was getting past him even under a 'better ride' and the way Brindisi Breeze pinged the hurdles I'd love to see him have 1 more season over them. The Gold Cup was an anti-climax yes but it made me realize just how lucky we have been in recent years. Not many horses win more than 1. That said we could be in for one of the most competitive Gold Cups ever next year. A long way to go and plenty of time for someone to become red hot favourite but at the minute a case can be made for a whole host of horses. Huge credit to Nicky Henderson who got his horses spot on this time round and put a couple of the other main trainers to shame. I look forward to reading the Cheltenham previews (and I'm starting with the Not606 one!!) to see who made the best/worst shouts of the weeks. The one prediction that sticks in my head is David Duggan saying Cinders and Ashes is a big fat slow joke who won't be winning anything to which some other geezer completely agreed. Role on Aintree.
I had some highs and very few lows. Even landed a couple of very tasty ante post bets with Champagne Fever and Salsify. One of my fav mares ran a belter and won the Mares hurdle without Quevega but the highlight for me wasn't a horse I backed. It also wasn't in one of the graded races. My highlight was seeing Hunt Ball pulverise a very smart handicap field running off a mark some 7 stone above the one he started the season on. Keiran Burke I salute you and your one win is surely the equal of Hendersons seven (in my book anyway).
Most exciting performance for me was Sir Des Champs (apologies to Sprintre Sacre). Sure to be a Gold Cup contender next year - have not seen the betting but should be in the first 2 imo. I backed Synchronised because I thought Long Run was not the same horse this year and Kauto would not relish the likely slog. But I would agree he is a below-average GC winner and if he were mine I would by-pass the GC next year and target the National. I would certanly not run him again this season. Simonsig looks a great prospect and of course Sprinter Sactre is a superstar. I thought it was a great Festival.
1)Sprinter sacre-No great surprise, a small following on here knew he was going to be a superstar long before the Arkle,yet the majority on here doubted his ability to stay up the Chelt hill..not anymore though.No horse will touch this fella over 2 miles. 2)Simonsig.This horse has an incredible engine and cruising speed and could do no more than trounce what i expect to be a very average Neptune field.Arkle 2013 winner i have no doubt. 3)Sir Des champs.A magnificent looking chaser who quickened away from his field with ease.The sky's the limit for this fella when he steps up in distance next season.
